What do you want the admissions committee to know about you?

[GomerPyle]

Hi everybody. I have a question regarding this interview/essay question that may come up for me (and to the rest of us).

"What do you want the Admissions Committee to know about you that is not addressed elsewhere in your application?"

If any of you have encountered this question, I would really appreciate any tips/advice on how you approached this question. I have literally talked about every one of my profound life experiences in my work/activities and personal statement; therefore, I am just lost on how to answer this question! How would you guys approach it and where would you start?

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[milkandcereal]

Is it optional? If it is, then just skip it if you can't think of anything else to add. Most of the times this question showed up on one of my secondaries, you didn't necessarily have to answer it. If you have to answer it, then I would use the space for a "Why this school?" response.

 

[mvenus929]

They don't want to know about your experiences. They want to know about you. They're searching for the intangibles that can't really be expressed in a written application. Maybe it's something that you're passionate about that doesn't make for a good EC (baking, for instance), or maybe it's your desire to get to know different people. Something that isn't demonstrated by your profound experiences or by your personal statement.

Alternatively, you could use it to emphasize a tie you have to the school. For instance, I'm an army brat, but there's a specific place I consider home, and the only aspect of my residency application that indicates where I call home is the fact that I went to a state school in that state, and spent some time working in the state after college. So, that question is a great way to emphasize the fact that I actually went to high school in said state, that most of my adult friends live there, etc etc.

 

[DrOneDay7]

They want to know about you. They're searching for the intangibles that can't really be expressed in a written application. Maybe it's something that you're passionate about that doesn't make for a good EC (baking, for instance), or maybe it's your desire to get to know different people. Something that isn't demonstrated by your profound experiences or by your personal statement.

^^^ That's exactly how I approached this, too. I initially struggled w/ this question but given my stats (at best, very borderline for a couple IS MD schools), I figured my only shot at scoring an interview is to take a chance and distinguish myself through my essays, rather than stick with the "safest" generic approach.

I basically discussed a couple hobbies I've had a lifelong passion for, why they mean so much to me, and ways I continue to develop and pursue these hobbies. They have absolutely nothing to do with medicine, but they've shaped me as a person and have kept me well-rounded.

I definitely felt like I took a risk on some of the secondaries I submitted, but I figured either: A. they'll appreciate the breath of fresh air and consider me, or B. at least I'll give them a laugh at my expense before my app makes its way into the garbage lol

 

[CyberMaxx]

This was my very first question in my first interview. It caught me off guard and I couldn't think of anything so I just said that I felt like I had the opportunity to cover all of my experiences on my AMCAS and secondary application. The interviewer moved on and I ended up getting accepted to that school.

tl;dr it's ok to say "no"

 

[medCR]

I had this question in two interviews. I just gave the schools any updates on my coursework and extracurriculars (ie: research, etc.) and I think my interviewers found that helpful.

 

[Espadaleader]

First of all its not okay to say no. I use that opportunity to look my interviewer dead in the face and tell them how I preserved through many obstacles and that I am ready for medicine.

That is the most important question in the interview. If you don't maximize in that you're losing out. Period.

 

[kyamh]

I got this question during my last interview and I reiterated a personal quality that I was proud of to keep that quality fresh in the interviewer's mind.

For me, that was talking about how the challenges I faced as an immigrant have taught me to identify opportunities, appreciate the hard work and bit of luck that put me in a good position, and to take full advantage of these opportunities.

 

[SN12357]

Hi everybody. I have a question regarding this interview/essay question that may come up for me (and to the rest of us).

"What do you want the Admissions Committee to know about you that is not addressed elsewhere in your application?"

If any of you have encountered this question, I would really appreciate any tips/advice on how you approached this question. I have literally talked about every one of my profound life experiences in my work/activities and personal statement; therefore, I am just lost on how to answer this question! How would you guys approach it and where would you start?

This is my least favorite interview question.

I usually answer it with some variety of 'why this school'.

 

[Ismet]

First of all its not okay to say no. I use that opportunity to look my interviewer dead in the face and tell them how I preserved through many obstacles and that I am ready for medicine.

were you fixed in 10% formalin?

 

[PreMedMaverick]

I wrote a short (one paragraph) essay about why I chose to apply to THAT school.
e.g. I liked X about your curriculum and Y about facilities. It shows the admissions at least that you did not pick that school simply because you recognized the name.

 

[Espadaleader]

@Ismet: Considering I've spent my whole life in poverty, watched my friends and family die from violence and drug abuse, been homeless, went to failing public schools, worked full time through high school and college... I'm ready for medicine. Back off.

 

[Espadaleader]

I wasn't expecting such insensitivity from you. It's all good though. 5% by the way.

 

[volcomx]

@Ismet&Espada

10/10, made my day

 

[Ismet]

@Ismet: Considering I've spent my whole life in poverty, watched my friends and family die from violence and drug abuse, been homeless, went to failing public schools, worked full time through high school and college... I'm ready for medicine. Back off.

I wasn't expecting such insensitivity from you. It's all good though. 5% by the way.

You wrote "preserved" and clearly meant "persevered." I made no comment on your perseverance, just a joke about the typo. Chillax.


Also, sidenote, it's completely okay to say no to this question. I ask this at the end of most of my interviews because student interviews here are closed file, so sometimes we don't get to talk about something that might be very important to the applicant or something they wanted to say but didn't come up. It doesn't matter either way if the person has something to say or not.

 

[Captain Sisko]

@Ismet&Espada

10/10, made my day

+1 wish I'd met you at my pitt interview.

 

[mcloaf]

@Ismet: Considering I've spent my whole life in poverty, watched my friends and family die from violence and drug abuse, been homeless, went to failing public schools, worked full time through high school and college... I'm ready for medicine. Back off.

Wth?

Time to try meditation...